Sport nationArsenal player ratings vs Chelsea: David Raya really owes Leandro Trossard! Gunners’ substitutes get goalkeeper out of jail to seal dramatic comeback
Tom Maston
Chelsea vs Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s side came from 2-0 down to claim a point after their new No.1’s latest mistake cast further doubt on his future role
Arsenal battled back to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season as two second-half goals secured a 2-2 draw away at Chelsea that the Gunners barely deserved.
They fell behind early on thanks to Cole Palmer’s opening goal from the penalty spot, as the England Under-21 international fired home after William Saliba was adjudged to have handled Mykhailo Mudryk’s header from Raheem Sterling’s cross.
David Raya, meanwhile, was to blame for Chelsea’s second, as Mudryk’s cross from the left floated over the goalkeeper’s head and into the net just three minutes after the break. The error seemed to rattle Raya, who almost gifted Palmer another when passing the ball straight to him, but the forward couldn’t take advantage.
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At that point, few in Arsenal red could hold their heads high, but they were gifted a way back into the game by Raya’s opposite number, Robert Sanchez, as his clearance found Declan Rice, who returned the ball into the net from long-range.
And the comeback was complete when Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard combined, the returning England winger crossing for the Belgian to poke home at the back post and send the visiting supporters into raptures.
GOAL rates Arsenal’s players from Stamford Bridge…
Oleksandr Zinchenko Arsenal 2023-24Getty Images
Goalkeeper & Defence
David Raya (3/10):
Distribution was concerning in the first half before awful positioning led to Mudryk doubling the lead. Almost compounded his error with another when gifting the ball to Palmer, but the Chelsea man missed his chance.
Ben White (6/10):
Did his best to get forward and support Saka but initially caused few problems. Gave the ball away in the build-up to Chelsea’s second, but made amends with a key pass ahead of the equaliser.
William Saliba (5/10):
Slightly unfortunate to give away the penalty but always asking for trouble when jumping with arms outstretched. Lacked his usual composure at times.
Gabriel Magalhaes (4/10):
Pulled all over the place by Palmer as he couldn’t get his head around the Chelsea forward’s positioning. Threat from set-pieces but otherwise poor.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (4/10):
Struggled badly up against Sterling and couldn’t inspire anything going forward. Replaced at half-time.
Jorginho Arsenal 2023-24Getty Images
Midfield
Declan Rice (6/10):
Struggled to get to grips with the conditions early on and wasted a good opportunity to play Jesus in midway through the first half. Great finish got the Gunners back into it, even if the goal was open.
Jorginho (5/10):
Home fans cheered his misplaced passes upon his return to Stamford Bridge. Lacked the incisiveness to cut open the Chelsea defence from deep.
Martin Odegaard (4/10):
Gave possession away more often than we are used to seeing, including when he couldn’t control White’s pass and Chelsea broke to score their second. A shadow of his usual self.
Gabriel Martinelli Arsenal 2023-24Getty Images
Attack
Bukayo Saka (6/10):
Returned from injury but looked half-a-yard off it at times. Cucurella, somewhat surprisingly, got the better of him for the most part, only for his superb cross to create the equaliser.
Gabriel Jesus (5/10):
Struggled to get into the game after returning to a central role. Replaced for the final 20 minutes.
Gabriel Martinelli (6/10):
Looked Arsenal’s most dangerous attacking player for much of the game but lacked support. Tracked back well to try help keep Sterling at bay.
Mikel Arteta Arsenal 2023-24Getty Images
Subs & Manager
Takehiro Tomiyasu (6/10):
On for Zinchenko at the break and Sterling was, in fairness, much quieter in the second half.
Eddie Nketiah (7/10):
Very bright cameo and twice came close to scoring a late winner.
Emile Smith Rowe (6/10):
Gave Arsenal energy after replacing Jorginho in midfield.
Leandro Trossard (7/10):
Great movement to get around the back of Gusto and poke home the equaliser.
Kai Havertz (6/10):
Played a small part in the equaliser on return to his former stomping ground.
Mikel Arteta (6/10):
Clearly caught out by Chelsea’s ‘false nine’ system that left his defence chasing shadows, but must be praised for his substitutions given their impact on the result.
Arsenal player ratings vs Chelsea: David Raya really owes Leandro Trossard! Gunners’ substitutes get goalkeeper out of jail to seal dramatic comeback
Tom Maston
Chelsea vs Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s side came from 2-0 down to claim a point after their new No.1’s latest mistake cast further doubt on his future role
Arsenal battled back to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season as two second-half goals secured a 2-2 draw away at Chelsea that the Gunners barely deserved.
They fell behind early on thanks to Cole Palmer’s opening goal from the penalty spot, as the England Under-21 international fired home after William Saliba was adjudged to have handled Mykhailo Mudryk’s header from Raheem Sterling’s cross.
David Raya, meanwhile, was to blame for Chelsea’s second, as Mudryk’s cross from the left floated over the goalkeeper’s head and into the net just three minutes after the break. The error seemed to rattle Raya, who almost gifted Palmer another when passing the ball straight to him, but the forward couldn’t take advantage.
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At that point, few in Arsenal red could hold their heads high, but they were gifted a way back into the game by Raya’s opposite number, Robert Sanchez, as his clearance found Declan Rice, who returned the ball into the net from long-range.
And the comeback was complete when Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard combined, the returning England winger crossing for the Belgian to poke home at the back post and send the visiting supporters into raptures.
GOAL rates Arsenal’s players from Stamford Bridge…
Oleksandr Zinchenko Arsenal 2023-24Getty Images
Goalkeeper & Defence
David Raya (3/10):
Distribution was concerning in the first half before awful positioning led to Mudryk doubling the lead. Almost compounded his error with another when gifting the ball to Palmer, but the Chelsea man missed his chance.
Ben White (6/10):
Did his best to get forward and support Saka but initially caused few problems. Gave the ball away in the build-up to Chelsea’s second, but made amends with a key pass ahead of the equaliser.
William Saliba (5/10):
Slightly unfortunate to give away the penalty but always asking for trouble when jumping with arms outstretched. Lacked his usual composure at times.
Gabriel Magalhaes (4/10):
Pulled all over the place by Palmer as he couldn’t get his head around the Chelsea forward’s positioning. Threat from set-pieces but otherwise poor.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (4/10):
Struggled badly up against Sterling and couldn’t inspire anything going forward. Replaced at half-time.
Jorginho Arsenal 2023-24Getty Images
Midfield
Declan Rice (6/10):
Struggled to get to grips with the conditions early on and wasted a good opportunity to play Jesus in midway through the first half. Great finish got the Gunners back into it, even if the goal was open.
Jorginho (5/10):
Home fans cheered his misplaced passes upon his return to Stamford Bridge. Lacked the incisiveness to cut open the Chelsea defence from deep.
Martin Odegaard (4/10):
Gave possession away more often than we are used to seeing, including when he couldn’t control White’s pass and Chelsea broke to score their second. A shadow of his usual self.
Gabriel Martinelli Arsenal 2023-24Getty Images
Attack
Bukayo Saka (6/10):
Returned from injury but looked half-a-yard off it at times. Cucurella, somewhat surprisingly, got the better of him for the most part, only for his superb cross to create the equaliser.
Gabriel Jesus (5/10):
Struggled to get into the game after returning to a central role. Replaced for the final 20 minutes.
Gabriel Martinelli (6/10):
Looked Arsenal’s most dangerous attacking player for much of the game but lacked support. Tracked back well to try help keep Sterling at bay.
Mikel Arteta Arsenal 2023-24Getty Images
Subs & Manager
Takehiro Tomiyasu (6/10):
On for Zinchenko at the break and Sterling was, in fairness, much quieter in the second half.
Eddie Nketiah (7/10):
Very bright cameo and twice came close to scoring a late winner.
Emile Smith Rowe (6/10):
Gave Arsenal energy after replacing Jorginho in midfield.
Leandro Trossard (7/10):
Great movement to get around the back of Gusto and poke home the equaliser.
Kai Havertz (6/10):
Played a small part in the equaliser on return to his former stomping ground.
Mikel Arteta (6/10):
Clearly caught out by Chelsea’s ‘false nine’ system that left his defence chasing shadows, but must be praised for his substitutions given their impact on the result.
Amina Umar
Austute Man
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